Hello guys, you may have seen my previous post regarding which 3d libraries were best, however now I'm not sure whether to jump to 3d or not. I have 2-3 years before my college app., and I want to sell a game before that. If I do choose to stay with 2d I'll probably just learn Slick, but what do you guys think? And any game ideas?(any, just need inspiration.)

- Learn the "graphics programming" aspects; i.e. using OpenGL, shaders, matrix math, etc. This is relatively advanced, but it will make you a more versatile and knowledgeable game programmer.

- Learn the "game programming" aspects; i.e. using Unity3D or JMonkeyEngine and focusing on AI, pathfinding, game mechanics, game architecture, networking, and other "higher level" aspects.

If you just want to make games, stick to 2D as it will be easier (there will always be a market for 2D). I'd suggest using LibGDX over Slick, or even writing your own bare-bones 2D sprite engine with LWJGL (as it will give you a much greater understanding of the graphics pipeline).

Really, you want to stick with what is easier, and that is going to be 2D.

It is much easier to design for and focus on the idea of the game. Especially since you really don't know what ideas you are going for. As for gaming ideas, I find it is easiest to look for inspiration from contests, since they really focus your thoughts into getting one thing done. Like in this thread for example...

Sticking to a few of these ideas without the constrain of LD might make a really cool 2D game.

Quote

1000 KittensAbandonedAfterlifeBeginning of TimeBreak the RulesCastlesChain ReactionColonyCompanionCreation and DestructionCuriosityDeep SpaceDon't Go OutsideEnd of the WorldEvolutionNightParallel WorldsRuinsSurviveTrapped in Another WorldTunnels

So yeah, stick to learning LibGDX or Slick2D and get a good simple 2D game out there. Good luck!

I am going to go against the grain here and say that for some thing 3d is easier. Currently my game is 2d sprite based (my own code, shader based). But i want say simple animation, like a aircraft banking in turns... this is pretty easy in 3d, but in 2d the animation systems get complicated fast, and sometimes just impractical.

But restricticing yourself to 2d is a good idea for at least the start. I am not switching yet. We are going to go for some stylized art and game pace that removed the "wrongness" of things like banking in turns...

I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.--Albert Einstein

I am going to go against the grain here and say that for some thing 3d is easier. Currently my game is 2d sprite based (my own code, shader based). But i want say simple animation, like a aircraft banking in turns... this is pretty easy in 3d, but in 2d the animation systems get complicated fast, and sometimes just impractical.

But restricticing yourself to 2d is a good idea for at least the start. I am not switching yet. We are going to go for some stylized art and game pace that removed the "wrongness" of things like banking in turns...

I'd say 3D is harder. Just because you need to do real modeling if you want to program real 3D games.Making 2D Sprites is much easier than modeling 3D objects in blender for example.

(also, if you want, you can also create a model for your aircraft, then render images of it with different animations. Then put the aircraft into your game as sprites. It works and is often used. If you are able to model objects, or are modeller...)

java-gaming.org is not responsible for the content posted by its members, including references to external websites,
and other references that may or may not have a relation with our primarily
gaming and game production oriented community.
inquiries and complaints can be sent via email to the info‑account of the
company managing the website of java‑gaming.org